Consultations on Canada’s International Education Strategy

In Budget 2011, the Government of Canada announced funding for the development and implementation of an international education strategy that will reinforce Canada as a country of choice to study and conduct world-class research. The budget also called for the establishment of an advisory panel reporting to the Ministers of International Trade and Finance to make recommendations on the strategy and to set out the contributions of all partners.

An Advisory Panel was named on October 13, 2011 to provide guidance and direction for the development, implementation and evaluation of an International Education Strategy for Canada. The panel will advise on a range of issues and make recommendations for the post-secondary international education sector.

Mandate

The mandate of the Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy is to make recommendations on the strategy that will maximise economic opportunities for Canada in the field of international education, including strengthening our engagement with emerging key markets, focussing on attracting the best/brightest international students, expanding the delivery of Canadian education services abroad, and building, expanding and ensuring greater partnerships between Canadian and foreign institutions.

Membership

The members of the Advisory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy have been selected based on their expertise, experience and a sound understanding of education in Canada and international education marketing in general.

The panel is comprised of the following members:

Amit Chakma, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Western Ontario (Panel Chair)

André Bisson, Chair of the Board, Centre for Interuniversity Research and Analysis of Organizations, lead director, Transat A.T. and Chancellor Emeritus, Université de Montréal

Consultations

In the Fall of 2011, the panel will begin a national consultation process to gather views from partners and stakeholders. Additional information on the consultation process will be shared when available.

To support the work of the Advisory Panel, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) has launched an online consultation process seeking stakeholder perspectives and feedback on key areas of interest for Canada’s International Education Strategy. To share your views, please download the consultation form (PDF * – 454 KB), enter and save your responses, and submit your completed form by email to edustrat@international.gc.ca prior to Monday, November 21, 2011. If you have any further questions about this consultation process, please do not hesitate to contact the Advisory Panel Secretariat at the above email address.